However, in the UK, the arts have been increasingly undervalued. Funding has been slashed, creative subjects have been sidelined in schools, and students pushed toward STEM at the expense of artistic expression.

Do schools kill creativity?

In his famous 2007 TEDx Talk, Ken Robinson argued that creativity is as important as maths and literacy and should be treated as such. He described how children are naturally inquisitive, curious, and creative, unafraid to take risks because they haven’t yet learned to fear being wrong. However, throughout school, mistakes are increasingly stigmatised, leading children to believe that failure is something to be avoided at all costs, even though failure is often where innovation and creativity comes from.

The hierarchy of education  

Ken Robinson observed that universally, language and maths are prioritised, followed by science and humanities, while the arts are left at the bottom – dance and drama in particular.  

As children grow older, the focus shifts from more holistic development to an education that emphasises intellectual skills over physical movement, a system originally designed to meet the needs of industrialisation of the nineteenth century and job market, and has changed little since.  

Academic ability dominates our education system, leading creative talents to feel inadequate as their strengths are undervalued. As more people graduate globally, rapid changes in work, demographics, and technology are reshaping our world. Academic inflation is making degrees less distinct, requiring advanced qualifications like MBAs or PhDs. In the UK, this shift has led to significant student debt for those who choose to go, replacing the grants that were once available to support university entry. 

What will the world look like as technology continues evolving at a breathtaking pace? While we are educating more people than ever, the focus on academic achievement may leave many unprepared for the future of work and life, where having a diverse skillset and the ability to solve problems and strategise are crucial. 

Intelligence as multifaceted  

Intelligence itself is multifaceted. It involves visual perception, movement, abstract reasoning, sound, touch, creativity, imagination and taste. The brain is a complex network that goes beyond oversimplified ideas of strict left-brain/right-brain divisions. Instead, creativity emerges from the collaborative work of different brain areas, highlighting that true cognitive ability is far more diverse than traditional academic metrics suggest. 

A beacon on the horizon?  

Fortunately, there are signs of change. Through our twenty years as a charity, we’ve met many school leaders, heads, and teachers who are enthusiastic about integrating creativity into education. There are growing initiatives – whether governmental, grassroots, or cultural – that are working to bring creativity back into the curriculum. 

The Labour government has proposed widening the curriculum to include creative subjects like music, art, and drama alongside traditional academic ones. Their goal is to ensure that every student has access to these subjects, fostering a more inclusive education system that nurtures creativity and critical thinking. 

Recent initiatives are driving a positive shift towards creativity in education. The move from STEM to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) is gaining traction, emphasising that creativity is just as important as technical skills. Play-based learning is also being reintroduced, especially in early childhood education, through programs like Forest Schools, which foster creativity and critical thinking through hands-on, outdoor experiences. 

In fact, there’s a growing cultural shift towards valuing creativity in education, driven by its importance in both personal growth and the workforce. As technology and AI advances, creativity is seen as a vital skill for innovation and problem-solving, with industries like tech and design emphasising creative thinking alongside technical skills. 

Public campaigns by organisations like the Creative Industries Federation and Arts Council England highlight how creative subjects contribute to student development and future success. This shift is reflected in schools integrating more creative projects and hands-on learning, responding to a broader cultural recognition that creativity is essential in education and beyond. 

If you are looking to bring more creativity to your curriculum, let’s together shape a thriving society by nurturing creativity in every child, everywhere. Contact us today.